What did you think was the coolest job in the world when you were younger? Do you still feel that way now?

It’s always been a toss up. I’ve never wanted to be anything else in my life other than being a lawyer. Being in a room rife with legal drama, presenting key evidence that shatters your opposition’s case and hearing the judge bang his/her gavel while yelling “Order in the Court! Order in the Court!” has never been anything less than exhilarating for me. Think about it, your gift of gab could actually make or break a person’s life. How you present, cross examine or deliberate could mean a person’s freedom or his imprisonment.

So I took up the course in college. Legal Management – one of the best undergraduate tracks one could take if one decides to pursue the noble career of law. Let me tell you, it was exactly as I hoped it would be. Likeminded individuals gathered in a room, discussing articles of law, hearing an esteemed professor come in and asked to be addressed as “Esquire” , have only reinforced my desire to become a lawyer myself.

Unfortunately, I strayed from the path. What was that famous saying? “Man makes plans and God laughs at man?” or something like that? Well it happened to me. Through a series of windfalls, idiotic decisions and streaks of irrational behavior I wound up far from where I wanted to be. I had a goal! I would graduate at 20, pursue law and take the bar at 24! What happened?!

What happened…?

Life happened.

I’m not where I wanted to be originally. Far from it. I have further deviated from my original goals than ever and pursued a career so far from where I wanted that I cannot even see it anymore if I look back. The decisions and the choices I made have separated me from the people I initially started out with. Today they are lawyers and today I am where I am.

Do I regret it? Sometimes, I do. Especially when I remember how full of promise I used to be. Back when “my potential” meant possibilities and not regrets.

Most times I don’t. Looking back, every step I took back then led me to here, to now, to you – dear reader. If I had not carved a different path would I still be here writing these words to you? I don’t think so.

Is the practice still as cool as I initially thought it to be? Yes, of course. Especially when I see my friends, being who they are, becoming more than they were before. It’s still that far flung dream of mine and maybe it’s not too late yet. But for now, I prefer to actualize other dreams, other goals and other wishes.